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Volunteers recognized for efforts

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kristian Carter
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Of the more than 300 known volunteers here, 94 were recognized in a ceremony at Club Fairchild May 1. Together, they logged 51,697 volunteer hours over the past 12 months.

This group involves retirees, dependents and military personnel who volunteer their time and energy to help make the base and community a better place. This includes both on-base and community events and activities.

Volunteer activities can range from time helping in the pharmacy, to assisting children's groups or senior citizens in the local community.

"We have people that help at the elementary school by reading or just spending time with the kids," said Melissa Still, Airman and Family Readiness Center. "Some volunteers help at the chapel, at Family Services or in the community with the Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity."

Due to the current manning and deployments, volunteer work on the base is a very valuable resource.

"On base, there are so many needs and offices that we don't have the manpower to run," said Ms. Still. "Staffing has been cut, and therefore the volunteers are vital to the mission."

One volunteer calling - the Phoenix Spouse position - is very important to the military family in preparing for and surviving a servicemember's deployment.

Melanie Lynds is a Phoenix Spouse for the 92nd Maintenance Squadron where her husband, Staff Sgt. Merle Lynds, is assigned.

One of a Phoenix spouse's jobs is to call and check up on spouses while the servicemembers are deployed, said Ms. Lynds. She continued by saying that every four months they have gatherings for spouses to meet and get to know each other both prior to and during deployments.

Ms. Lynds also calls the spouses of deployed Airmen weekly to see how things are going.

Even though there is no paycheck involved with this type of service, it does come with a reward. Ms. Lynds said the position allows her opportunities to get out and visit and build relationships with the other spouses.

Whatever the reason, volunteers are a critical part in making the mission a success at Fairchild.